(143048) Margaretpenston Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 2 November 2002 by Fitzsimmons, A., Williams, I. P. at La Palma.
Margaret Penston (b. 1941) is an astronomer recognized for her work in astronomy education. She is past president of the U.K. Society for Popular Astronomy and the author of several books on astronomy for the general public.Naming citation (WGSBN Bull. 3, #12, 8), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Margaretpenston is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Margaretpenston is 2.56 au from the Sun and 1.57 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 143048 |
| Provisional designation | 2002 VR132 |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 15.98 |
| Orbital period | 4.03 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.53 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 2.22 – 2.84 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.122 |
| Inclination | 5.05° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 1.21 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
Also named after someone called Margaret
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- (8632) Egleston
- (10739) Lowman
- (12317) Madicampbell
- (22038) Margarshain
- (22725) Drabble
- (37159) Margaretmead
- (46270) Margaretlandis
- (49777) Cappi
- (50725) Margarethuggins
- (70030) Margaretmiller
- (117385) Maughan
All asteroids named after someone called Margaret